Honoring 30 Years of Service to the Natural Resources of Washington State

After more than 30 years of leadership and dedicated service to the natural resource and related industries in Washington State, Dave Roseleip announced his retirement from his position as President of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation, effective June 30, 2015. In honor of Dave's commitment to the AgForestry Leadership Program and its participants, the Foundation's Board of Trustees created Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment Fund, which will provide funding for the program’s annual International Seminar, a cause very close to Dave’s heart.

Contributions to the Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment Fund are always welcome! You can donate using a Visa or Mastercard by clicking here or calling the Foundation, or you can download the Endowment Donation formand mail it to the Foundation with a check.

Thank you to those who have generously supported the Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment!

AgForestry Class 8

Stephan and Deidre Dillon

Matt and Erin Kloes

David and Marianne Ophardt

Lori Stonecipher and Steve Schuck

AgForestry Class 26

Hans and Teresa Engelke

Troy and Holly Little

Linda and Bob Parlette

Lorna Sutton

AgForestry Class 36

Dan and Lucinda Fazio

Bruce and Christine Mackey

Jaime Pinkham and Tija Karklis

Scott and Lynn Swanson

AgForestry Class 37

Franklin County Cattlemen's Association

Sarah and Dan McClure

Patricia Playfair

Karen Temen and Wes Wasson

Avista Corporation

KayDee and Todd Gilkey

Alex and Bonita McLean

Nathan and Betsy Putnam

Juli and Mark Tuson

Brad and Esther Bailie

Alex and Dolores Goedhard

Gary and Lori Middleton

Gene and April Rapp

Jim and Mary Vander Ploeg

Nancy Barker

Frances and Larry Goodrow

Grant and Nancy Miller

Claudine Reynolds

Gene and Mary Warren

David Beach

John and Beverly Gorman

Kenneth and Bonnie Miller

Steve Robinson

Washington Farm Forestry Assn

Boise Cascade Wood Products

Audrey Gravley

Candace Montoya and Gavin Saville

Bob Rose

Washington State DNR

Michael and Cara Broeckel

Mandee and Jason Haase

Doug and Deborah Moore

Norm and Helen Schaaf

Ron and Jan Wesen

Heather and Scott Brown

Hansen Fruit & Cold Storage Co.

Mike Mosman and Mary Webb

Derek and Susan Schafer

Linda and Gerard Weyns

Brian and Chelsea Campbell

Hansen Logging, LLC

Nancy and Paul Nash-Mendez

Alan and Mary Shank

Jennifer and Jay Witherbee

Tyler and Sharon Clark

Karla and Eric Heinitz

Lisa and Paul Naylor

Abby and Karl Snyder

Roy and Tracey Yotsuuye

Larry and Sandra Cochran

Bob and Dee Hindes

Tedd and Patty Nealey

Gary Stewart

Michael and Jeanne Youngquist

Dan and Darci Coyne

Stacey and Erik Johnsen

Ray and Sally Nelson

You can support the Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment online using a Visa or Mastercard, by calling the Foundation office, or you can download the Endowment Donation form and mail it to the Foundation with a check.

Dave and his twin brother Dennis were born during a snowstorm in St. Ignatius, Montana, where he was raised on a dairy and diversified crop farm. He began his career in Spokane at Farm Credit Banks after graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Agriculture Science and Economics. Dave has been with the Foundation since the beginning: he graduated from Leadership Class 1, while serving farmers and ranchers at Farm Credit Banks. In the time between his graduation in 1980 and when he became President of the Foundation in 1984, Dave worked with other program participants to organize the AgForestry Alumni Organization, now known as the Alumni Council.

Dave had big shoes to fill as President, following in the footsteps of Art Peterson and Robin Leitzinger, but quickly proved he was up for the challenge. Under his direction and tutelage, the AgForestry Leadership Program has continued its respected tradition of providing a world-class leadership experience for industry leaders throughout the state.

Dave began his role as President and Program Director with Leadership Class 6, and has since overseen the recruitment and selection of Leadership Classes 7 through 37. He has watched as nearly 1,000 leaders have graduated from the program and utilized their training and skills to advance to various leadership positions. Since becoming President, Dave has worked tirelessly on the planning and development of educational, enlightening, and unique seminars and other experiences for the class participants. He has worked with the Washington State congressional delegation, governmental departments, and national organizations to deepen the experiences for the classes as they visit Olympia and Washington, D.C.

Among many accomplishments during his tenure with AgForestry, he has helped coordinate International Seminars to approximately 45 different countries to include Leadership Class 36's trip in 2015 to Vietnam and Cambodia. The International Seminar is designed to provide class members with a global view of natural resources, agricultural issues, trade and culture.

In 1986, Dave worked with three other state program leaders and co-founded the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership (IAPAL), an international consortium of agriculture, forestry, and rural leadership programs in the United States and countries abroad. He was honored by IAPAL when he received the Outstanding Leader Award in 2004. Dave was also honored by the Spokane Chamber of Commerce for his service as Chair of the Ag Bureau in 1991-92, and he was selected by Leadership Class 34 to receive the Stu Bledsoe Leadership Award in 2013, in recognition of a lifetime of leadership in demonstrating the value of all citizens working together for the betterment of our natural resources.

Never one to be idle, Dave has also served on the boards of Farming and the Environment, Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, Washington Biodiversity Council, and the Washington Agriculture Council, and continues to be active in his church and local chapter of Toastmasters. His post-retirement plans are no less active, as he has a goal of helping future class members of the AgForestry Leadership Program by raising funds for the Foundation's Endowment Fund, which will provide funding for the Foundation's activities in perpetuity. Who knows - with the freedom that retirement brings, you may see him at your door making a house call!

The Foundation will miss Dave’s deep wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion for the program, as well as the humor and mentorship he brings to the office. We are happy for Dave and his wife Jan as they journey into the new adventures his retirement will bring them and their family!

The International Seminar is the 12th seminar in the AgForestry Leadership Program, and focuses on the Trade, Culture, and Government of countries outside of the United States. The seminar provides an invaluable experience in relation to the critical importance of world politics, social issues, agriculture and food. The goal of the seminar is to develop articulate statespersons who understand what is going on around them, including the sensitivity and differences between a highly developed nation and a developing nation; social and cultural systems, religion and customs; trade relations; and economic systems. As with the other seminars, the International Seminar emphasizes communication, ecology, government, economics, sociology, education, and the arts.

Participants Are:

Exposed to the history and culture of another country

Studying the trade issues and the natural resource industries of the country visited

Exposed to economic and political systems that are different from those of the United States

The International Seminar has taken participants to approximately 45 different countries, include destinations such as China, Spain, Peru, Russia, India, and the upcoming International Seminar will see Leadership Class 36 visiting Vietnam and Cambodia in January 2015.

Leadership Class 8 had the good fortune to meet Mother Teresa while in India

Guadalajara was one of the stops for Leadership Class 28

"I have returned from an amazing trip to a country that I would never have thought to visit prior to my participation in the AgForestry Leadership Program. Not only did I have the opportunity to visit this country, but I was exposed to enough of its culture, history, economics, trade, natural resources, and the people that I feel I can positively share my experience with others."

Leadership Class 34 took in the beauty of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

A quote from a member of Leadership Class 31 from their visit to Turkey

The Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment Fund is one piece of the Foundation's AgForestry Leadership Endowment, which is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding with the purpose of sustaining the AgForestry Leadership Program and continuing the success of the program and its participants, keeping the idea in mind that creating and maintaining effective leadership is a continuous process. Assets of the endowment are invested, with a portion of the growth and interest used each year to support its designated purpose, such as the Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment Fund, providing funding for the annual International Seminar. The fund's principal remains untouched, allowing the fund to grow and provide support in perpetuity.

Appreciated securities, which is a long-term, appreciated stock or mutual fund, held more than a year. Giving appreciated securities saves you money in two ways. You receive an income tax deduction for the fair market values of the shares you transfer, and you avoid capital gains taxes you would have incurred had you sold the shares yourself.

Funds to AgForestry through the purchase of a charitable life insurance policy. The Foundation Endowment Fund is the designated beneficiary of these policies. This is an excellent way to support the programs of the AgForestry Foundation on a long-term basis.

The Mirabeau Park Hotel in Spokane Valley was the setting on May 9, 2015, for a day of celebration for the AgForestry Leadership Program and its vast network of alumni, supporters, and friends. The day began by honoring the achievements of Leadership Class 36 with their graduation luncheon and culminated in a retirement dinner to bid President Dave Roseleip a fond farewell after 30 years of leadership.

The graduation ceremony was followed by a lively evening reception and successful silent auction that showcased generous donations by AgForestry class members, alumni, and partners, including original artwork and hand-crafted goods. A sincere thank you to all who donated such wonderful items and services to the auction! In addition to the silent auction, keys to a locked wine fridge stocked with a variety of private reserve hand-selected wine from some of Washington's most notable wineries were raffled raising $5,000 for the Foundation, with one lucky guest leaving with the wine fridge and all its precious contents in tow!

The evening celebration for Dave Roseleip's retirement was emceed by Catherine Brazil, Leadership Class 19, and included heartfelt testimonies by a variety of alumni, as seen below, representing the three decades of Dave's impact on the AgForestry Leadership Program, its participants, and the natural resource industries of Washington State.

The retirement celebration included a video that brought to life Dave's development of the annual International Seminar and focused on the Dave and Jan Roseleip Endowment Fund, which will provide funding in perpetuity for the International Seminar. Since the implementation of the endowment fund, more than $44,000 has been donated, with an additional $87,000 pledged, to help ensure the continued success of the annual International Seminar!

PROGRAM

Today's pressing issues demand strong, able, informed leaders who not only excel in their chosen professions, but also in the areas of communications, political savvy and issues management. The AgForestry Leadership Program helps leaders face challenges with confidence.

OUR EVENTS

AgForestry hosts a variety of events. Alumni events, and opportunities to meet with current class members for both “friend raising” and fundraising, the purpose of AgForestry events is to heighten community and natural resource industry leader’s awareness of AgForestry’s educational and leadership services.

CURRENT CLASSES

The AgForestry Leadership Program offers an incredible array of outstanding seminars to help participants increase and expand their leadership skills - including two study travel seminars in the United States and internationally.

DONATE NOW!

Leadership is essential to preserve and sustain Washington State's diverse natural resource industries. The quality of life enjoyed in Washington State due to our abundant agriculture, forest land and fisheries is directly influenced by the leaders within our state.